Facilitating Electrochemical Lateral Flow Assay using NFC-Enabled Potentiostat and Nitrocellulose-based Metal Electrodes

Rapid detection of pathogens at the point-of-need is crucial for preventing the spread of human, animal and plant diseases which can have devastating consequences both on the lives and livelihood of billions of people. Colorimetric, lateral flow assays consisting of a nitrocellulose membrane, are the preferred format today for low-cost on-site detection of pathogens. This assay format has, however, historically suffered from poor analytical performance and is not compatible with digital technologies. In this work, we report the development of a new class of digital diagnostics platform for precision point-of-need testing. This new versatile platform consists of two important innovations: i) A wireless and batteryless, microcontroller-based, low-cost Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled potentiostat that brings high performance electroanalytical techniques (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, square wave voltammetry) to the field. The NFC-potentiostat can be operated with a mobile app by minimally trained users; ii) A new approach for producing nitrocellulose membranes with integrated electrodes that facilitate high performance electrochemical detection at the point-of-need. We produced an integrated system housed in a 3D-printed phone case and demonstrated its used for the detection of Maize Mosaic Virus (MMV), a plant pathogen, as a proof-of-concept application.